Questions raised over planned retreat for Bessemer City School Board members
BESSEMER, Ala. (WBRC) - With the threat of a state takeover looming, state Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey met with members of the Bessemer Board of Education Wednesday at an office building off Acton Road.
As the drama continues, questions are swirling now about a planned retreat for board members, including how much this retreat next week at Ross Bridge will cost seeing as the district could potentially be taken over by the state
Tuesday evening, Bessemer City School Board members talked about getting some rooms for at least one night at Ross Bridge. The board also discussed some of the things they want to talk about during the retreat. This comes as the state is eyeing how the board operates, including looking into its finances.
In a letter sent to the board, Dr. Mackey said the board did not approve a budget and capital plan until October 2023 after the September deadline that the Alabama State Department of Education established. Mackey also said the board possibly violated the state bid law for how much they charged for cleaning services in 2023, among other issues.
Erika Hughes, the president of the Central Alabama American Federation of teachers feels the retreat could be a waste of time and money.
“I do think the board retreat would be beneficial if it was put to proper use. However, I’m not sure that it’s going to be beneficial because if Dr. Mackey is already going to takeover, what is the use of them spending a day and a half of finances and time and effort in putting a plan together and actions to carry out that plan if his intensions is to go head and take over,” Hughes said.
“I would like to see us use that time and planning and answering some of the concerns again that we talked about and received in the letter we received from Dr. Mackey,” Renee Scott, Bessemer City School Board member for District 3 said.
Hughes is calling for a top to bottom review of the Bessmer City School Board and wants Mackey to talk to rank and file employees as well, not just leadership.
Bessemer already has quite a history of expensive retreats.
A 6 On Your Side Investigation last year looked into a number of school districts administrative retreats which are similar but serve different purposes. Records revealed Bessemer City Schools spent $92,526 on its administrative retreat last year. The district took 57 people to Huntsville for a 4-day, 3-night retreat at the Westin Hotel. That’s adds up to $1,623 per person.
We’re told Bessemer’s board has until next week to submit its improvement plans to the state.
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